There are many people in my life that stand out as people that I admire, respect, appreciate, and value. There are many people in my life that have shaped and molded me into the man I am today. But while many can share in the process of this transformation, only one can take the credit for the largest portion of it: my dad. From the day I was born, my dad had a central role in showing me the ropes of life and what it took to be a Christian man. He did this through modeling, teaching, showing, and correcting. Don’t get me wrong, there were plenty of times when I disagreed with him or thought I knew better, but in pretty much every case, he was the one in the right. My dad taught me so many things that I value and utilize to this day, many of them I probably don’t really recognize because they have become so engrained in me. My dad taught me the value of hard work, the importance of loving others, the treasure of loving family, the joy of a smile or joke, the love of sports, the attitude of a servant, the passion for truth, and the need to be both a provider and protector for my wife and son. Some of these teachings meant that I had to learn things the hard way as there were many times I was too selfish and self-centered to really take in what he was trying to get across, but he was always there for me, patient with me when I failed to see, and always working hard to help me “get it.” While not everyone can share in the experience of having a caring earthly father, we all can share in the reality that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us and cares for us even more than any earthly father could. Our Father God loves us at all times, He is always there for us and is perfect in every way. We can come to Him in our brokenness and need because He is right there next to us. This Father of ours also pursues us when we go astray, running after us to show us His better way. Though we may try and run, His presence follows because He longs for relationship with His created child. I am thankful that we have such a Father in the God that we serve. Even my earthly father has made his share of mistakes, which he would readily admit to, and I will make plenty of my own as a new father, but thankfully we can bank on the love and grace given to us freely by our Heavenly Father. Even in the midst of our rebellion of sin, God provided a way for us to be brought back into His family. What a gift!

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.– Romans 8:14-16 (NIV)

Ben BigaouetteBen will be sharing with us from God’s Word this Sunday, July 26th